I really admire the few people I know who have been meditating consistently for 10 or 20 years without missing a day. I’ve been meditating for 30 years, but I’ve never managed that level of regularity. There have been times when I haven’t missed a day for months, but eventually, life disrupts my routine, especially since I have two young kids and often experience interrupted sleep.
Sometimes, this irregularity doesn’t seem to matter. I have made progress, become kinder, and experienced various meditative states, including the jhānas and formless jhānas. I’ve even had some powerful insights. However, when I meditate daily without fail, my meditation practice flourishes. Missing days disrupts the quality of my practice, turning meditation into maintenance rather than growth, which affects the quality of my life.
I think the key difference between those who meditate daily without fail and those who don’t is that the former consider daily meditation an integral part of who they are. It’s a habit ingrained in their identity, unlike those who see it as a goal to achieve, often doubting their ability to get there. This doubt can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
How long must one meditate before developing the confidence that daily meditation is just part of their identity? I’ve gone months without missing a day, then one late night and early morning throws me off track.
Recently, I’ve started using an affirmation to overcome this hurdle of doubt. Here it is: “I meditate every day. It’s just who I am. It’s what I do.” It’s simple, and I repeat it throughout the day, even during meditation. Saying these words as I lie in bed before sleep, writing them down, or placing a note where I can see it helps remind me. This affirmation boosts my confidence and is changing my self-image. It makes daily meditation an expectation rather than an extra task.
This approach has been helping me, though I’m not guaranteeing it will work for everyone. You can consider it an experiment to see if it helps you too.
Regular daily meditation seems to be a privilege that not everyone can afford due to varying lifestyles and commitments. For instance, caring for young children or having a demanding job can make daily meditation challenging. Some mothers manage to meditate daily even with a baby, likely due to their commitment and supportive conditions.
For those with busy lives, like having full-time jobs and children, achieving regular meditation might not be feasible right now. But as life circumstances change, it becomes easier to incorporate regular practice. One effective method is to meditate with others. Sharing your practice with a community can help maintain regularity.
Using tools like meditation apps or timers can also help track your practice and encourage consistency. These tools can provide a sense of accountability and motivation, although they might not work for everyone. For some, intrinsic motivation works better, where the drive to meditate comes from within rather than external reminders.
Ultimately, even a short meditation session is better than none, and it’s important to find what works best for you, whether it’s through affirmations, community support, or personal commitment.